London has free public Wi-Fi network
Posted July 17th, 2007 by Mihnea Boiangiu
Recently, a free wireless network has been launched in London. The free service is provided by the Free-hotspot.com and the Wi-Fi network infrastructure firm MeshHopper. They offer Wi-Fi access along the River Thames. The free access area covers 13.6 mile. The two companies intend to extend the network up to 22 mile by August this year.
The free wireless network is not really free. Its users must agree to view an advertisement at every 15 minutes. Otherwise they are charged with $6 (2.95 GBP) per hour. The wireless public operates with modest download speeds of 256Kbps. On the other hand the paid-for services operate at a faster 500Kbps.
“This really marks the arrival of free Wi-Fi in Greater London. Millions of Londoners, as well as commuters, visitors and tourists, can now expect to find free Wi-Fi as they work or play along the Thames.” - Dan Toomey, chief executive of Free-hotspot.
Similar free access networks will be created for other cities across UK.
